# Do they still use aircraft to catch speeders? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2006, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965 "2006-01-08T02:44:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2006, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965/41 "2006-01-09T19:34:50Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > California has many of the same signs. > > I’ve always been amused by the choice of the word “enforced” over, say, “monitored.” I imagine a police plane opening fire on a speeder, or using some kind of grappling hook. Holy crap! I’ve also noticed that many times and made the same observation to others. ---
**Author:** ![AzureM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AzureM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AzureM)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965/42 "2006-01-09T22:19:41Z")
> [@iamthewalrus(:3=](#): > > I’ve always been amused by the choice of the word “enforced” over, say, “monitored.” I imagine a police plane opening fire on a speeder, or using some kind of grappling hook. Perhaps you were expecting [this](http://www.alschreiber.org/images/speed.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965/43 "2006-01-09T22:35:57Z")
I did wonder about the OP’s question. In the L.A. area, it’s been ten years or more since I’ve seen either the “Patrolled By Aircraft” signs or the planes overhead, and before then I used to see them all the time. Has the focus of the airborne patrol been shifted to rural areas where it’s usually easier to speed? ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965/44 "2006-01-09T23:41:19Z")
> [@Spectre of Pithecanthropus](#): > > then I used to see them all the time. > > Has the focus of the airborne patrol been shifted to rural areas where it’s usually easier to speed? They have these signs just south of San Jose on 101. Also they patrol by plane regularly along 113 between Woodland and Davis (near Sacramento). > [@AzureM](#): > > Perhaps you were expecting this? ROFL. Nice one. Even worse than [getting pulled over by these guys](http://www.webwombat.com.au/entertainment/humour/images/85cops.JPG) . ---
**Author:** ![Burrido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Burrido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burrido)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965/45 "2006-01-10T02:53:19Z")
There was a guy out here (or was it wisconsin) that got tagged for going 200+ mph on his motorcycle by a police airplane. The person who calculated that speed stood firmly by his estimate. Last I read, the bike was modified, but not sure if it was enough to attain such a speed. Did a half-assed search for the article but couldn’t find it. It was a couple months ago I believe. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965/46 "2006-01-10T04:07:53Z")
> [@Burrido](#): > > There was a guy out here (or was it wisconsin) that got tagged for going 200+ mph on his motorcycle by a police airplane. The person who calculated that speed stood firmly by his estimate. Last I read, the bike was modified, but not sure if it was enough to attain such a speed. Did a half-assed search for the article but couldn’t find it. It was a couple months ago I believe. Post #21 has a link to the story. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-use-aircraft-to-catch-speeders/338965.md?page=2)